Event manager Damian Clarkson had spent six months putting together a crack production team, which included lighting specialists Invisible Blue and caterers Taylor Made. The former were able to integrate moving lights, gobo projections and skytrackers with ARRI's generic tungsten and high-brightness HMI film and location luminaires. Invisible Blue project manager Richard Smart commented: "Amalgamating the two disciplines proved an interesting exercise. We used ARRI X-Lights to provide the blue wash over the building, three moving yoke scanners to provide the scans and a high-wattage 'Space Flower' to light up the night sky."
If this set the mood for the arriving guests, Invisible Blue also provided the pyrotechnics inside - which included a cascade of 'flutterfetti' and UV-reactive glitter bomb at the end of the keynote speeches. Prior to that guests had enjoyed a limitless supply of champagne and a special range of cocktails, including ARRI's own confection - 'ARRI Blue' - created in house livery Blue Curacao. Aerial artists performed overhead while onstage The Big Man (Greg Lawrence) & His Band provided the early evening cabaret.
For those seeking a break from the high-octane overload there was the opportunity to walk the three ARRI buildings spanning the vast site, where ARRI GB, ARRI Lighting Rental and ARRI Media are now domiciled - including an equipment museum and viewing theatres. In his welcoming address, ARRI GB managing director, Renos Louka, emphasized the new building's strategic location, which was selected for its proximity to Central London, Heathrow, the M40, M25 and M4 motorways, as well as the major studios at Pinewood, Shepperton, Twickenham, Ealing and Bray. "This investment in a building is not only significant in order to grow our business, but it shows the confidence we have in the film industry and shows our commitment to its future."
He paid tribute to his predecessor, Derrick Ross, and to Bobby Arnold, Dr Walter Stahl, Alfred Schopf and the board of Directors at Arnold & Richter (ARRI). In particular, he credited Mr. Schopf for pushing through the move. Thanking Mr. Louka, ARRI CEO, Alfred Schopf set out the history of the company which has been serving the movie making industry since August Arnold and Robert Richter set out on heir adventure in 1917. "For ARRI this move is a clear sign of commitment to the movie making industry. We see significant growth potential in this industry and ARRI is committed to this industry with highest quality products." He was then joined for the ceremonial cutting of the cake by Renos Louka, Bob Arnold and Christoph Stahl.
(Ruth Rossington)
